About Exit International Founded in 1996 by Dr Philip Nitschke, Exit International is Australia’s largest voluntary euthanasia advocacy and information organisation. With our administrative office in Darwin and a shop-front office in Doncaster in Melbourne, Exit brings a dual focus on legislative change and practical information.

More information about Exit International can be found at:

www.exitinternational.net

Phone 1300 10 3948 (EXIT) NZ Tel 09 889 0964

contact@exitinternational.net

About the Author Elaine Arch-Rowe is the National Chapter Coordinator of Exit International. Prior to joining Exit, Elaine enjoyed a successful career in sales. Elaine lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland and operates one of the most active and popular local Exit chapters in the country, regularly hosting meetings of up to 100 members.

To the many campaigners who won’t give up the fight to achieve legislation for any person who has expressed a wish for a painless and dignified death

because they are suffering, through illness or disability, severe pain or distress and with no remedy available.

Exit International Published by Exit International PO Box 37781 Darwin NT 0821 Australia contact@exitinternational.net I BEQUEATH THE PYTHON 2007 Copyright © Elaine Arch-Rowe & Fiona Stewart 2007 The moral right of the authors has been asserted. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced to a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owners and publisher of this book. First published by Exit International 2007 Cover design & illustrations by Gordon Bell Copyright © Gordon Bell Printed by Webb & Son printers, Adelaide Australia ISBN: 978-0-9803256-1-4 www.exitinternational.net

OTHER PUBLICATIONS FROM EXIT INTERNATIONAL

The Peaceful Pill Handbook New International edition

(banned in Australia Feb 2007, available at Amazon.com)

by Dr Philip Nitschke & Dr Fiona Stewart

(Exit International US Ltd 2007)

www.peacefulpill.com

“Dr Philip Nitschke is a tireless fighter for human rights”

Neal Nicol, author, Between the Dying and the Dead Dr Jack Kevorkian’s Life and the Battle to Legalise Euthanasia

&

Killing Me Softly: Voluntary Euthanasia & the Road to the Peaceful Pill

(Penguin, 2005 - available at all good bookshops)

By Dr Philip Nitschke & Dr Fiona Stewart

www.exitinternational.net

“The publication of this book will probably prove to be a landmark in the history of the reform of … unenlightened laws” - Canberra Times

Her birth was completely unexpected

Her life was mostly uneventful BUT her death was exceptionally well-organized

Tell Us What You Think! As the reader, you are our most important critic. We value your opinion and would like to know how useful this document is to you and if you’d recommend it to your friends.

Email: elaine@exitinternational.net (please write “Python” in subject line)

Mail: Elaine Arch-Rowe Exit International

PO Box 37781 Darwin NT 0821

AUSTRALIA

Ph 1300 10 3948 (EXIT) Fax 02 8905 9249

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 8 THE STARTING POINT 11 YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT 13 YOUR EXECUTOR & WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER AGE 15 ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY 17 LIVING WILLS 19 CHECKLIST 20 MORE CHECKLIST 21 WHO GETS WHAT 23 PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY 24 MORE PREPARATION 25 AND THERE’S MORE 27 YOU COULD DONATE YOUR BODY 29 ONE LAST TASK 31 A LITTLE FAMILIY HISTORY 32 MORE HISTORY 33 THIS WAS MY LIFE … 34 PYTHON (RE)ORDER FORM 37

INTRODUCTION

Me to daughter: “My old pals are getting older and some are dying.” Daughter’s reply: “They’re not the only ones - you’re getting past it too.” With brain turning, I thought “If I die tomorrow – who gets what?” So I started to ask my old pals: “If you die tomorrow – who gets what?” Most of them had made out a will but few of them had made plans for anything else. When one asked me: “What else do I need?” A plan started buzzing around in my head. I present you with “I bequeath the python to …” – your ultimate end of life management guide.’ HAVE FUN!

Elaine Arch-Rowe Gold Coast, Australia April 2007

9

LAST WISHES

An elderly woman from Palm Beach decided to prepare her will and make her final requests. She told her vicar she had two final requests.

First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Myers.

"Myers” the vicar exclaimed! "Why Myers?"

"Then I'll be sure my daughters will visit me twice a week” she said.

10

I --------------------------------- have made the decision to gather together all the information and documents that will be needed after my death. I do this so the people who look after my affa rs w ll have an easier task once I’ve gone.

i i

****************

THE STARTING POINT

There are THREE very important documents you need to consider. The first one is a Will (Page 13).

The second is an Enduring Power of Attorney – for both financial and/or medical matters. (Page 17). Who will be the person/persons who makes/make the decisions for you when you can’t make them for yourself? And the third is the Living Will or Advance Health Directive (page 19) - the document you prepare at this time and which only comes into effect when you are unable to communicate for yourself. To my way of thinking all three are necessary – but you need to look at them separately and decide how each one will affect YOU personally. Sure, your Will is a very important document but do have a good think about the other two. After you’ve filled out one, two and three, store them in one place along with other important documents such as: birth, marriage and death certificates, divorce decrees, adoption papers, passports, citizenship papers, military service records and tax details. Next, have a good look at the CHECKLIST on pages 20 and 21. I bet there’ll be items on that list you haven’t even considered. From personal experience (having had to look after a friend’s end-of-life affairs) - I can definitely recommend it. Notes: (jot ideas down as you go)

11

12

YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT (this is the ‘MUST HAVE’ document)

You only need to update your will when circumstances change – eg. loss of a spouse, fall out with family or to prove to certain people that you haven’t yet lost your marbles.

• Perhaps one of your children hasn’t bothered to contact you for a while; • If there is someone out there who is expecting a hand-out from you and

ain’t gonna get it, write a note explaining why they have been overlooked and keep this with your will.

THIS LETTER MUST BE WRITTEN AND DATED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WILL.

In fact, why not send the non-beneficiaries a copy of the note? That way they can ask you, while you’re still alive, the reason you’re being so mean. It also saves the nice beneficiaries from major headaches, plus expensive delays, waiting for settlement. PLEASE, PLEASE ensure that the originals of ALL your documents are kept in a safe place and that they can be easily found. Some folk like to make multiple copies and leave them with different people. If a document cannot be found, it may be incorrectly presumed that you never prepared it or that you destroyed it. MY DOCUMENTS CAN BE FOUND:……………………………………………………….…………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… OTHER COPIES OF MY DOCUMENTS ARE WITH: Name: Address: Phone and email: Name: Address: Phone and email: Name: Address: Phone and email:

13

THE LAST WILL OF JOHN MIDAS

The lawyer was reading out the Will of tycoon John Midas to those mentioned in the Will:

"To my loving wife Helen Louise, who stood by me in the rough times as well as the good, I leave the house and $2 million.

"To my daughter Tonya, who looked after me in illness and kept the business going, I leave the yacht, the business, and $1 million.

" To my nephew Simon, I leave my 2 Jaguars, and my weekender in the Whitsundays.

"And to my cousin Morris, who hated me, argued with me and who thought I would not remember him in my Will - you were wrong again Morris!

So "Hello Morris !"

14

YOUR EXECUTOR If you choose a solicitor as an executor, ask what costs will be involved.

Solicitors tend to use gobbledegook language in Wills. There is no reason you can’t ask them to write your Will in layman terms.

Choose for your executor, a person who thinks like you and understands your wishes. The Public Trust office has information on the duties of an executor.

Aye, sure ye’re my kin and once ye were in

ye thought ye’d be rich but my Will left ye nix

WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER AGE

So – why not choose a solicitor who offers you a copy of your Will on CD and then, if you have your own computer, you can update the CD yourself.

Remember any updates need to be re-signed and witnessed in the usual way.

Ask your solicitor about approximate costs for future updates.

15

RABID DOG

My neighbour was bitten by a stray rabid dog. I went to see how he was and found him writing frantically on a piece of paper. I told him rabies could be treated, and he didn't have to worry about a will. He said, "Will? What Will? I'm making a list of the people I want to bite."

16

ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney? An Enduring Power of Attorney is a person who can make ‘financial and/ or personal/ health’ decisions for you when you can’t make these decisions for yourself.

Be it one ‘o yer own B it f ae who the wh e e r os

oe

Make nae a mistake Wi’ wh v’r ye choose

You may decide on – say - your oldest son to be that person. However, a good idea to consider is to have more than one person to be responsible for so much power.

Many’s the time the power of an attorney has been to the detriment of the principal (that’s you). Your attorney(s) will be responsible for your bank accounts, payments from Centrelink, paying all your bills and deciding where you will be living. You’ll agree that this is a huge responsibility. Your future happiness is in their hands. You can change or revoke your attorneys’ power at any time, so long as you are capable of understanding what you are doing.

The attorney’s power comes into effect ONLY when you are “incapable.”

I Know I keep saying this BUT keep your copies safe and available. One for yourself and give copies to other involved people such as:

• Attorney • Doctor • Accountant • Solicitor

P.S.

It has been suggested to me that keeping the details concerning the whereabouts ofyour Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Health Directive in your purse/ wallet isn’t a bad idea. Alternatively, for you computer buffs, information can be stored on a flash drive (size 2 x 6cms) and kept on your car keyring or similar.

17

He must belong to someone!

Are your documents too well hidden?

18

LIVING WILLS

(a.k.a. Advance Health Directive, Refusal of Treatment Certificate, Anticipatory Directive, Advance Care Directive)

i.e. Take responsibility for your end of life decisions

What is a Living Will? A Living Will is a document that states your wishes or directions regarding your future health care. A Living Will (it has various names: see above) ONLY takes effect when/if you ever find yourself unable to communicate your wishes. LEGAL Living Wills exist at present only in some States, however, even as I write, most of the State governments who at present have no ‘legal’ Living Will are considering drafts in one form or another. Sometimes living will forms (and Enduring Power of Attorney forms) can be obtained from a newsagent or with a phone call to the government agency concerned. I decided not to print these numbers here as they change often. If you can’t find the phone number in the Community Help section in the front of your phone book, phone your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau for the contact in your area; they are very friendly, helpful people who will point you in the right direction. If your state has no legal form, set out your directions anyway even if it’s in the form of a letter or if you have internet access download one of the better ones. The Queensland Government Advance Health Directive is an excellent one. The New Zealand Advance Directive for Health prepared by the New Zealand Medical Association is a very ‘user friendly’ document. Just because there is no “legal Living Will” in your state doesn’t mean your wishes won’t be taken notice of. Once again, keep your copies safe and available. An ideal person to keep a copy is your doctor. Some folk consider a Living Will to be as important to them as their ‘real’ Will. If this applies to you, why not advise your kin of your decision and give them a covering letter stating that these are your wishes. You could ask your kin for a return letter telling you that they agree to your wishes. If they don’t agree - give your Living Will to someone other than family. IMPORTANT - Because of the nature of this form it needs to be UPDATED regularly (and witnessed by a JP). (Every two to three years is recommended)

19

CHECKLIST

NOW is the time to ask one very special and reliable person if he/ she will contact certain people and organizations on your behalf.

This checklist is for him/ her.

(Most organizations require a copy of the Death Certificate and Probate to

accept an Executor’s authority. Bank accounts are frozen until Probate unless a second signatory is registered. Talk about this with your solicitor.)

Name : --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phone number and email: -------------------------------------------------------- Please advise the following people of my departure:

Family members ---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Will the above family members please contact everyone else?)

Accountant ---------------------------------------------------

Banks ----------------------------------------------------

Council ----------------------------------------------------

Doctor ----------------------------------------------------

Employees ----------------------------------------------------

Executor of Will/Public Trustee ---------------------------------------

Post Office ----------------------------------------------------

Solicitor -----------------------------------------------------

Telephone -----------------------------------------------------

Workplace ----------------------------------------------------

20

MORE CHECKLIST Where necessary and add as needed

Centrelink/Veteran Affairs -------------------------------------------

Church ---------------------------------------------------

Clubs and Organizations ---------------------------------------------------

Dentist ---------------------------------------------------

Electricity / Gas ---------------------------------------------------

Health Fund ---------------------------------------------------

Insurance Companies ---------------------------------------------------

Landlord ---------------------------------------------------

Library ---------------------------------------------------

Medicare ---------------------------------------------------

Motor Transport ---------------------------------------------------

Newspaper delivery ---------------------------------------------------

Tax Office ---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------

------------- --------------- (add more as needed)

I he an.

else from me, they may e the rest.”

21

-----------------------

ard of one fellow who left his ashes to the tax-mHis comment was “Well they’ve had everything

as well hav

22

WHO GETS WHAT? Have you any little treasures that people have coveted? Is there a family tree that you have been working on for years? And those photos? Your daughter doesn’t wear gold but your niece absolutely adores it – hey, why not leave your expensive gold pieces to your niece? People get a very special feeling about a gift that is willed to them. If you consider you have a treasure that will be very, very special to someone, put it in your will; otherwise list it here. And you could place a name sticker underneath the item. Name ----------------------------------- Item: -------------------------------------- Name ----------------------------------- Item: -------------------------------------- Name ----------------------------------- Item: -------------------------------------- Name ----------------------------------- Item: -------------------------------------- Name ----------------------------------- Item: -------------------------------------- What will happen to your clothes? e.g. Let the family decide? Op Shop? Bonfire?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P.S. Remember, bequests can’t be handed over until the Will is ‘probated.’

THE FAMILY PET

If you have one then you know this goes into the special consideration area. Perhaps you have someone in mind now who would love to have your pet? You could leave some money in your will to ensure that your pet will be looked after properly. The Lost Dogs Home, Lort Smith Animal Hospital, Cat Protection Society etc usually have specific forms for this and will administer your bequest.

23

PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY

Be it wee or be it grand Och, be sure that ye have planned

Pre-paid is “Tidy,” Pre-arranged and Pre-paid is “Best!”

Prepaid Funerals generally cost between $1800 and $6000

Question: “What can I possibly get for $1800?” Answer: “Trip from home to funeral parlour, chipboard coffin &

cremation without a ceremony.” * COFFIN OPTIONS (Tick one)

I want a cardboard coffin! • Not great for manoeuvrability • Wot if it rains? • It’d be just awful if you leaked • Chipboard’s just as cheap

I want a nice coffin but don’t want to go to any great expense

I want a middle-of-the road coffin

I want the best!

You choose----------------------------------------------------------- * I HAVEN’T GOT A THING TO WEAR! I’d like to be dressed in (eg. my wedding dress, favourite suit, leotards etc) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * THINGS I’D LIKE TO TAKE WITH ME! (eg. my wedding ring, my old teddy, an apple and a bar of chocolate for the journey) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24

MORE PREPARATION (If you have pre-arranged your funeral – the Funeral Director will arrange the following)

My Funeral Director is: --------------------------------------------------- Pall Bearers: -----------------------------------------------------------------

Flowers (you choose)

I’d prefer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ but I also like: -----------------------------------------------------------------

Whatever is in season?

I don’t want flowers

In lieu of flowers, a donation to: -------------------------------------- Decorations (you choose) I’d like my coffin decorated with:

Grandkids pictures

Handprints of all my friends

Painted purple and pink.

No decorations please

You choose ----------------------------------------------------------------- Please Conduct my Memorial at: -------------------------------------------

My local church which is ------------------------- ------------- ---------- - -

Crematorium

At my home

Local community club/ hall which is --------------------------- --------- -

You choose-------------- --------------------------- ------------- -------- - - -

No memorial please 25

26

AND THERE’S MORE …

I would like my memorial/ funeral to be conducted by:

Family member/ Special friend

Priest/ Vicar

Funeral home staff This person’s name is: --------------------------------Ph no.--------------------------------

Music My desired music is ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eulogy I would like my eulogy to be read by: ------------------------------------------------------

I have written my own eulogy (see page 34)

I have no eulogy but would like something to be said by --------------------------

No eulogy thanks

Special Prayers/ Poems -----------------------------------------------------------------

No prayers or poems thanks

Reading --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would like -------------------------------------------------------to be read for me

I would like ------------------------------to read-----------------------------for me

I have no special reading requests

Burial I wish to be:

Buried – I have a plot reserved at ------------------------------------------cemetary

Cremated and have my ashes scattered at -------------------------------------------

You choose ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wake I wish to be remembered by having a wake at ---------------------------------------------

(attach other requests on additional pages here) 27

Goodbye Mabel

28

YOU COULD DONATE YOUR BODY … THERE ARE SEVERAL BODY DONATION PROGRAMS IN AUSTRALIA Whole Body Bequests Australia Capital Territory – Body Donation Program – ANU medical School New South Wales - Body Bequest Program – Universities of Sydney & Newcastle Queensland – Cadaver Bequest Program – University of Queensland South Australia – Body Donation Program – University of Adelaide & Flinders Uni Tasmania - Body Bequest Program – University of Tasmania Victoria – Body Donation Program – University of Melbourne For States not listed - check with one of the universities in your state. Note - The university may keep you (in cold storage) for up to two years but they

usually use you up within half that time The Cost - Depends on where you live. It’s often free within the metropolitan area of a major city – however, if you live farther out you can make a bequest to cover the cost of your transportation. Fame at Last - Some Universities will enter your name into a Book of Remembrance. How to Apply - By letter: stating your wish to leave your body, after death, for teaching and research purposes. The Uni will then send you some documentation for you to complete. P.S. You probably should mention this in your Living Will. e.g. I bequeath my body, after death, to the University of Atlantis for the purposes of teaching and research and – nag nag - tell your next of kin and your Health Attorney of your wishes. N.B. The University of Sydney runs a brain donor program and they will accept brains from all over Australia. * In most body and organ programs, there will be some restrictions on suitability:

• Suicide • If a post mortem examination has been carried out. • Accidental death • Physical size e.g. Size 30. • the body must be whole

29

Irish Obituary

Mrs Monaghan came into the newsroom to pay for her husband's obituary.

She was told by the kindly newsman that it was a dollar a word and he remembered Pete, and wasn't it too bad about him passing away.

She thanked him for his kind words and bemoaned the fact that she only had two dollars.

So she wrote out the obituary, "Pete died."

The newsman said he thought old Pete deserved more and he'd give her three more words at no charge.

Mrs Monaghan thanked him and rewrote the obituary:

"Pete died ,,, Boat for sale"

30

ONE LAST TASK GREAT! You’ve now organized all your personal papers from ‘The Starting Point’ on page 11, worked through the ‘Checklists’ on pages 20 and 21 and arranged your Passing Out Parade, etc. Now, why not organize your day-to-day important personal information? It’ll make money management easier for you AND for others who may be responsible for handling your financial affairs later on. The first step is to locate all documents and related information and gather the information in categories such as:

Car and related items

Banking information

Household bills

Insurance policies and their numbers

Property records. e.g. title and deeds

Legal papers, leases and contracts Author’s Note

Because we don’t have the same level of information which is available to a legal firm. This is just a bit of advice. If you are in doubt of any matter in this book - please check with your solicitor – he/ she’s the expert! P.S. And for persons of a certain age … and just before you shut the book … Don’t let your assets fly away! Ask your accountant, solicitor, family and friends “What is the best way to address the issue of being taxed on my assets?”

31

A LITTLE FAMILY HISTORY

While you know you inside out, those left behind may not know you so well. This page contains some background details for- say - the funeral director or to start a family tree or maybe get a British passport – any old reason really! Family Name: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Given Names: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of Birth: ----------------------------------------- Date of Birth: ----------- Date I arrived in Australia and Nationality: (if applicable) ----------------------- My Address: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Occupation in working life: -------------------------------------------------------- Pension Type: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Father’s Full Name: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Father’s Occupation: -------------------------------------------------------------- Mother’s Full Name: --------------------------------------------------------------- Mother’s Maiden Name: ----------------------------------------------------------- Mother’s Occupation: -------------------------------------------------------------- My Sisters (and their DOBs) ------------------------------------------------------ My Brothers (and their DOBs) ----------------------------------------------------

My Marriage Details (Tick appropriate box)

Married Widowed Divorcee De Facto Never Married

First Marriage History Place of Marriage: ----------------------------------Date of Marriage: ----------- Name of Spouse: -------------------------------------------------------------------

32

MORE HISTORY

Second Marriage

Place of Marriage: ----------------------------Date of Marriage: ------------------- Name of Spouse: ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Children

Given Names: Gender: Date of Birth: ----------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

Location of Will (in case you forgot to mention it on page 13)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Notes

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

33

Eulogy

The old man had died.

A wonderful funeral was in progress and the country preacher talked at length of the good traits of the deceased, what an honest man he was, and what a loving husband and kind father he was.

Finally, the widow leaned over and whispered to one of her children, "Go up there and take a look in the coffin and see if that is your dad."

36

(Re) ORDER FORM

Please send me copies of the Python.

My address is: Name: ___________________________________________ Street: ___________________________________________ Suburb: ___________________________________________ State: _______________________ Postcode:__________ My phone no: ________________________________________ Orders by email to: elaine@exitinternational.net Please enter in subject line: “PYTHON PLEASE” Postal Orders to: EXIT INTERNATIONAL PO Box 37781 Darwin NT 0821 Cost (Exit Supporters): $15.00 per copy includes postage. Cost (General public): $20.00 per copy includes postage. Ph 1300 10 3948 (EXIT) Fax 02 8905 9249

37